Feline Constipation and How it Can Affect Your Cat

Feline constipation, which results in a cat having infrequent movements
of his/her bowels and leads to dry, hard stools that are difficult to
pass and cause a great deal of discomfort.

It is a very common problem,
especially for senior cats.

Constipation is often a sign of other bowel related problems and in and of itself is not a serious disease.

Cats
suffering from constipation can easily recover from the problem with
proper attention and will not necessarily experience it again.

Causes of Constipation in Cats

Constipation in a cat has many causes and as a general rule, takes
place when a normal bowel movement is disrupted for one reason or
another.

The main causes of constipation include dietary
problems and foreign (or environmental) bodies that cannot be expelled
easily from the body, (such as fur, bones, string, etc.)

Bowel movements
that are painful and are the direct result of a rectal or anal disease;
obstructions such as tumors (possibly related to Cat Leukemia,) or old pelvic fractures, and neurological causes such as spinal cord damage, paralysis, and megacolon can also be a cause.

It is important to make sure a cat always has lots of fresh, clean drinking water and it may be helpful to increase the fiber in a cat's regular diet.

Megacolon refers to the "condition of the extreme colonic dilation,
and is a disorder of the structure and function of the colon."

It is
worth noting that a feline suffering from megacolon is constantly unable to pass stools, however this is only one of many causes of
constipation in cats.

Other causes include metabolic and hormonal
concerns such as low potassium, problems due to medication the cat is
taking and intestinal scars that were caused by injuries the cat
sustained in the past.

The most common causes of feline constipation include the Ingesting too much Fur,
obstructive problems and neurological problems.

If constipation or a
complete failure to pass a bowel movement goes on for more than a few
days, the cat should be taken to the veterinarian right away. Lack of attention to this matter could lead to serious health problems.

Feline Constipation Treatments

A number of different constipation treatments can be employed when a cat is in discomfort.

It may be necessary to restore the fluid and electrolytes that have been
lost due to the constipation and to bring the balance back under
control. This may help to remove, or at least control, the underlying reason the
condition began in the first place.

There are a variety of cathartic medications and laxatives that can be prescribed for constipated cats.

Generally cathartic drugs are more extreme on the system and may cause the opposite result of constipation - Diarrhea.

On the other hand, laxatives are gentler in nature and usually cause
the passage of bowel movements in a natural way.

Animals suffering from
constipation are sometimes administered enemas in order to sufficiently
clean out their bowels.

Other treatments that are sometimes
undertaken are to put a cat on a dosage of antibiotics or nerve
stimulants and/or manual removal of feces that are trapped in the bowels.

When
special medications fail to bring about the desired result, sometimes
extreme measures in the form of surgery must be taken.

A variety
of things can be done at home in order to help a cat get over a bout of
constipation and to help avoid a re occurrence of the problem.

It
is important to make sure a cat always has lots of fresh, clean
drinking water and it is essential to increase the fiber in a cat's
regular diet.

Just as some people need plenty of bulk in their
diets, so do some felines. Supplement a cat's daily diet with bran, Metamucil
or canned pumpkin (approximately one tablespoon per day).

Keep in mind
however that not all cats respond well to an increase in the fiber in
their diets.

Some show no improvement whatsoever while others actually suffer adverse effects that can be very detrimental.

Other
forms of treatment that are helpful include brushing or combing a cat
on a regular basis to get rid of dead or loose fur and thus to reduce the incidence of hairballs in the intestine, and to make sure his
or her litter box is cleaned as often as possible.

Changing the brand of litter too often is not advisable as it can disturb a cat very much.

It is important for a cat to get plenty of exercise, whether it stays inside or goes out. Playing and running inside a home constitutes exercise.

Cat
constipation remedies that can be helpful include slippery elm bark,
Avena sativa (oats) and Aloe Ferox. Slippery elm bark powder (ulmus
rubra or ulmus fulva) is excellent in the treatment of feline
constipation as it serves to coat the stomach lining and reduces
irritation.

Avena sativa is a herb made from whole wild oats that
is effective at relieving the symptoms of constipation while Aloe Ferox,
which dates back as early as 1500 BC, is known as a natural cleanser
for the digestive tract.

This page is informational only. Always follow the advice of your veterinarian.

Cat Bad Breath.
Cat bad breath may mean more than your pet not being nice to be near.
It is sometimes a clue that something needs attention and possibly a
medical condition exists.